Offset pole tent

ABSTRACT

A single-pole tent has an upper panel supported by a pole. The upper end of the pole supports the upper panel at a point spaced apart from the perimeter thereof. The lower end of the pole is horizontally fixed at a point offset from the upper end and may be spaced apart horizontally from the upper panel. A first line secures the upper panel and extends to a tie down point beyond the perimeter of the upper panel. The lower end of the pole may be positioned between the first tie down point and the upper end of the pole. A second line secures to the upper panel and extends to a second tie down point beyond the perimeter of the upper panel. Third and fourth lines secure to the upper panel and extend to tie down points laterally on either side of the pole.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to tents and more specifically to lightweight single-pole tents.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Backpackers constantly seek to reduce the weight of camping equipment. Tents in particular tend to be heavy because of the large amount of material required and the rigid poles used to give the tent shape. Many attempts have been made to reduce the weight of tents; however none have provided an adequate solution.

The most common tent used today is the dome tent. Such tents comprise multiple poles arching over the entire tent. Such tents typically include sleeves which are sewn to the tent as well as a rain fly that is positioned over the tent itself. The domed structured of such tents is typically accomplished by stitching a large number of panels together to approximate a hemispherical shape. Each of the seams securing the panels increases the weight of the tent due to necessary seam sealer treatments in addition to the stitching and overlapped portions of fabric forming the seam. The multiple poles, rain fly, sleeves, and seams combine to greatly increase the weight of the tent. The multiplicity of components of the typical dome tent also increases its cost.

Some backpackers may use a bivouac (bivy) sack that is little more than a slip-on cover for a sleeping bag. Bivy sacks have the disadvantage of positioning a waterproof barrier next to the sleeping bag, ensuring that water vapor condensing on the inner surface of the bivy sack will be transferred to the sleeping bag, even for bivy sacks formed of breathable materials. Bivy sacks also provide no room for gear and may be unpleasant for claustrophobic people. Bivy sacks may also pose a danger of hypoxia due to inadequate ventilation and air space around the head of the user.

Another attempt at lightweight tent design includes single pole pyramid-style tents, which typically include an upper sheet of material supported at its center by an upwardly extending pole. Lines extending from the edge of the upper sheet are then staked down to hold up the pole and expand the space beneath the upper sheet. These tents have the principle disadvantage of positioning a pole at the center of the tent, severely hampering the use of space within the tent. The tent must be made substantially bigger than the actual enclosed volume needed in order to provide an unobstructed space for the occupant to sleep.

In view of the foregoing it would be an advancement in the art to provide a tent that is lightweight, water resistant and yet provides a large uninterrupted space for occupancy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A tent, according to one embodiment of the invention, includes an upper panel supported by a pole. The upper end of the pole engages the upper panel at a point spaced apart from the perimeter thereof. The lower end of the pole is horizontally fixed at a point offset from the upper end and spaced apart horizontally from the upper panel. A first line secures the upper panel and extends to a tie down point beyond the perimeter of the upper panel. The lower end of the pole may be positioned between the first tie down point and the upper end of the pole. A second line secures to the upper panel and extends to a second tie down point beyond the perimeter of the upper panel. The upper and lower ends of the pole may be located between the first and second tie down points. In some embodiments, third and fourth lines secure to the upper panel and extend laterally on either side of the pole.

The lower end of the pole may be horizontally fixed by a stake inserted within a support surface and coupling to the lower end of the stake. The stake may include an upward projection positioned within the pole and a downwardly extending projection laterally, which may be laterally offset from the upward projection. An eyelet may be formed in the stake such as by forming a coil in a stake embodied as a rod.

As will be readily appreciated from the foregoing summary, the invention provides a lightweight single-pole tent providing an unobstructed interior space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an offset single-pole tent, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of an offset single-pole tent, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a panels for forming a single-pole tent, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of panels for forming a single-pole tent, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a top view of a sleeve for receiving the pole of a single-pole tent, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A is a side view of a pole retention stake, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a pole retention stake, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a single-pole tent, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a tent 10 includes a top panel 12 having a first end 14 and second end 16, which corresponds to the head and foot of an occupant sleeping in the tent 10. The top panel 12 preferably forms substantially the entire upper surface of the tent 10. A pole 18 supports the top panel and has the upper end 20 a thereof positioned well within the perimeter of the top panel 12. The lower end 20 b of the pole 18 is secured to the ground, or other support surface, spaced apart horizontally from the upper end 20 a. Alternatively, the lower end 20 b is anchored to the tent or a line secured to the tent restricting horizontal movement of the lower end 20 b. The pole 18 is formed of a variety of materials such as carbon fiber, fiberglass, aluminum, or the like. The pole 18 is formed in one or more segments. In the preferred embodiment, the pole 18 is formed of hollow carbon fiber sections secured to one another by fiberglass farrels.

A sleeve 22 secured to, or formed in, the top panel 12 receives the upper end 20 a of the pole 18. The lower end 20 b of the pole 18 is restrained in the horizontal direction by a stake 24. The lower end 20 b of the pole 18 is offset a distance 26 horizontally from the upper end 20 a. The lower end 20 b is offset a distance 28 from a front wall of the tent 10. The pole 18 is either straight, curved, or bent at a point between the upper end 20 a and lower end 20 b. In the illustrated embodiment the pole 18 is formed as a straight member that is subsequently elastically deformed into the pole shape shown in FIG. 2, having an upper portion thereof at an angle 30, which is about equal 45 degrees in some embodiments. The elasticity of the pole 18 tends to lift the apex of the tent.

The sleeve 22 receiving the pole 18 is positioned near the first end 14 of the tent 10. The distance between the upper end 20 a of the pole 18 and the first end 14 is substantially less than the distance between the upper end 20 a and the second end 16. Inasmuch as the distance 32 between the upper end 20 a and the second end 16 is large, sagging is much more likely and water is more likely to collect. In preferred embodiments, a single seam is formed in the upper panel 12 at or near the sleeve 22. It may be beneficial to position the single seam between the upper end 18 a of the pole and the first end 14 such that any accumulated water is located over a continuous sheet of material between the upper end 18 a of the pole 18 and the second end 16. The pole 18 elevates the single seam, preventing the collection of water thereabove. The advantageous construction of the tent 10 having a single seam in the upper panel 12 reduces the weight of the tent by reducing the number of seams, with their increased weight due to overlapped material, stitching, and seam-sealing treatments.

forward line 34 secures to the top panel 12 near the upper end 20 a of the pole 18, such as by a loop 36, and extends forwardly to a forward tie down point 38. Alternatively, the forward line 34 secures to the pole 18 directly. A rearward line 40 secures to the upper panel 12 such as by loop 42, and extends rearwardly to a rearward tie down point 44. The forward and rearward lines 34, 40 are tensioned to maintain the pole 18 in a vertically extending position. In some embodiments, a second rearward line 46 secures to the upper pane 12, such as by a loop 48, near the first rearward line 40 and extends rearwardly to a second rearward tie down point 50.

First and second lateral lines 52 a, 52 b secure to the upper panel 12, such as by loops 54 a, 54 b, and extend laterally to first and second lateral tie down points 56 a, 56 b. The first and second lateral line 52 a, 52 b secure to the upper panel 12 on either side of the pole 18 and serve to laterally expand the area beneath the upper panel 12. In some embodiments, additional lateral lines 52 c, 52 d, each with corresponding loops 54 c, 54 d and tie down points 56 c, 56 d, secure to the upper panel 12 and further shape the upper panel 12.

In some embodiments, one or more poles 58 support a foot end 16 of the tent 10. However, in others the tension on the rearward lines 40, 46 supports the upper panel elevated at the foot end 16. The poles 58 are positioned either inside or outside the tent and are formed in one or more segments.

The lines 34, 44, 46, 52 a-52 d are formed of any filament or fabric of sufficient strength to support the upper panel 12. The lines 34, 44, 46, 52 a-52 d secure to their respective tie down points by means of stakes of metal, plastic, wood, or other suitable materials. In preferred embodiments the lines 34, 44, 46, 52 a-52 d secure at their ends to both the upper panel 12 and a to a floor 60 or at a point between the floor 60 and upper panel 12. A stake, or like device tying down a line 34, 44, 46, 52 a-52 d engages the lines 34, 44, 46, 52 a-52 d at a point between the ends thereof. Loops 62 near the floor 60 enable the floor to be tied down directly. The loops 62 are located substantially vertically below the points of securement of the lines 34, 44, 46, 52 a-52 d to the upper panel 12. A loop 62 secure near the floor 60 substantially vertically below the pole 18 near the location of the stake 24. The stake 24 secure to the loop 62 during use and storage to avoid misplacement of the stake 24 and to shape the floor 60. The advantageous arrangement of the loops 62 enables use of fewer stakes, inasmuch as a single stake both secures the floor and tensions lines shaping the upper portion of the tent 10. Reducing the number of stakes reduces weight and the number of steps necessary to set up the tent.

The upper panel 12 is formed into a substantially faceted shape, including facets 64 a-64 f, by the tension in the lines 34, 44, 46, 52 a-52 d. A wall 66 extends between the upper panel 12 and the floor 60 to further define the enclosed volume of the tent 10. Alternatively, the upper panel 12 secures directly to the floor 60. The wall 66 includes panels 68 a-68 f corresponding to the lower edges of the facets 64 a-64 f of the upper panel 12. In some embodiments, the wall 66 includes a lower portion 70 formed by panels formed monolithically, or of the same type of material, as the floor 60.

A door 72 is formed in one of the panels 68 a-68 f. In the illustrated embodiment, the door 72 is a zippered opening 74 formed in panel 68 c. In some embodiments, the door 72 includes a zippered opening extending along edges 76 a, 76 b of the panel 68 c such that the additional seams for securing the panel 68 c to the upper panel 12 or panel 68 b are not necessary. In some embodiments, the panel 68 c, 68 e, or a portion of the panels 68 c, 68 e are fonned monolithically with the upper panel 12. In such embodiments, edges 76 a are not proximate a seam. In such embodiments, the door 72 may be positioned along a seam joining different portions of the panel 68 c, 68 e together. In some instances, the tent 10 is formed of fabric available in standard widths. Accordingly, the seam joining. portions of the panels 68 c, 68 e together may be located at the original edge of the fabric used to form the tent 10.

Referring to FIG. 3, the upper panel 12 and wall 66 is formed according to the pattern illustrated. The upper panel 12 includes a cut-away portion 80 within the facet 64 a. The edges of the cut-away portion 80 are joined to form a concave surface. Wall panels 68 c, 68 d, and 68 e are formed by individual sheets of material or by panels 82 a-82 c extending from the sheet of material forming the upper panel 12 and additional panels 84 a, 84 b. The material from which the tent 10 is formed may have a fixed width. Accordingly, the formation of the upper panel 12 with panels 82 a, 82 c increases the portion of the upper panel 12 and walls 68 c, 68 e that form part of a monolithic sheet of material. In alternative embodiment, wall panels 68 c, 68 d, 68 e are formed from a single continuous sheet of material. Wall panels 68 a, 68 b, 68 f are embodied as individual sheets of material or are formed as a continuous sheet of material folded to conform to the edges of the facets 64 a, 64 b, 64 f of the upper panel 12.

Referring to FIG. 4, in an alternative embodiment, the tent 10 is assembled from material cut in the manner illustrated in order to provide a reduced number of seams. The wall panels 68 a, 68 b, 68F, or a portion thereof, are formed integrally with the upper panel 12. The cut-away portion 80 is positioned between facets 68 b and 68 c of the upper panel 12. The pattern of FIG. 4 accommodates limitations on the width of materials readily available. Accordingly, panels 68 c, 68 e, and/or 68 f are formed from multiple pieces joined at seams 78 a, 78 b. One or both of the seams 78 a, 78 b may be a zipper such that the seam 78 a or 78 b acts as a part of a door and the need for an additional seam and zipper is eliminated.

Referring to FIG. 5, the edges of the cut-away portion 80 are joined in a manner to provide a sleeve 22 for receiving the pole 18. In one embodiment, first and second seams 82 a, 82 b separated by a distance 84 secure overlapped portions of the panels 68 a, 68 b. The pole 18 inserts between the panels 68 a, 68 b between the first and second seams 82 a, 82 b. Forming the sleeve in this manner reduces the weight of the tent by eliminating the need for separate seams to join the panels 68 a, 68 b together and to join the sleeve to the tent 10. This construction further eliminates the need for a separate fold of material to form the sleeve 22.

Referring to FIG. 6A, a stake 24 includes a lower portion 90 for penetrating soil, snow, or other support surface. The stake 24 further includes an upper portion 92 engaging the pole 18. For poles 18 having a hollow cross section, the upper portion 92 may be sized to fit within the pole 18. In an alternative embodiment, the pole 18 fits within an upper portion 92 formed as a sleeve sized to receive the pole 18.

The stake 24 includes an eyelet 94 receiving a cord, or like structure, securing the stake 24 to the loop 62 substantially vertically below the pole 18 to avoid misplacement during use and storage. The eyelet 94 further provides a structure facilitating insertion of the stake 24 into a support surface such as soil or snow. In the embodiment of FIG. 6B, the upper portion 92 is horizontally offset from the lower portion 90. The horizontal portion 96 may facilitate insertion of the lower portion 90 into a support surface by providing a surface that may be engaged by a boot or shoe of a user. In some embodiments, the stake 24 is formed of a metal rod or heavy wire. Accordingly, the upper portion 90, lower portion 92, eyelet 94, and horizontal portion 96 may be embodied as sections of a single section of wire or rod formed into the shape illustrated.

Referring to FIG. 7, a tent 10 has various elements to promote the comfort of occupants. For example, one or more vents 100 a, 100 b carry away damp air from occupants. Vents 100 a, 100 b are preferable to netting, or breathable fabrics, inasmuch as a separate rain fly is not needed to prevent entry of water. A vestibule 102, or canopy 102, secures between the upper panel 12 and the wall panel 68 c. The canopy 102 may rely on one of the lateral lines 52 a, 52 c to extend the canopy away from the wall panel 68 c.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow. 

1. A tent comprising: an upper panel having a perimeter; a pole having an upper terminal end substantially adapted to engage the upper panel spaced inward from the perimeter and having a lower end substantially horizontally offset from the upper end, the lower end being substantially horizontally fixed; a first line secured to at least one of the upper panel and the pole upper end, the first line adapted to extend to a first tie down point beyond the perimeter, the lower end of the pole positioned between the first tie down point and the upper end of the pole;
 2. The tent of claim 1, further comprising a second line secured to the upper panel and extending to a second tie down point beyond the perimeter, the lower end of the pole being located between the first and second tie down points.
 3. The tent of claim 1, wherein the pole is bent.
 4. The tent of claim 2, wherein the pole is flexible and resilient.
 5. The tent of claim 1, wherein the first line secures to the upper panel proximate the upper end of the pole.
 6. The tent of claim 1, further comprising a stake securing to the lower end of the pole.
 7. The tent of claim 6, wherein the pole is hollow and the stake comprises an upward projection positioned within the pole.
 8. The tent of claim 7, wherein the stake comprises a downwardly extending projection laterally offset from the upward projection.
 9. The tent of claim 7, wherein the stake comprises an eyelet.
 10. The tent of claim 9, wherein the stake is formed of a continuous rod and wherein the eyelet comprises a coil formed in the rod.
 11. The tent of claim 2, further comprising third and fourth lines, the third and fourth tie lines extending to third and fourth tie down points, respectively, the third and fourth tie down points located on opposite sides of a vertical plane passing through the first and second tie down points.
 12. The tent of claim 1, wherein the upper panel is a continuous sheet of material.
 13. The tent of claim 12, wherein the upper panel comprises a first seam joining first and second edges of regions thereof and extending inwardly from the perimeter.
 14. The tent of claim 13, wherein the first seam is substantially coplanar with the pole.
 15. The tent of claim 14, wherein the first seam comprises two stitching lines, the pole inserting between the first and second stitching lines and between the first and second edge regions
 16. The tent of claim 15, comprising one or more lower panels extending downwardly from the perimeter of the upper panel.
 17. The tent of claim 16, further comprising a floor securing to lower edges of the lower panels and extending horizontally beneath the upper panel.
 18. The tent of claim 17, wherein the pole is a main pole, the tent further comprising foot poles supporting the upper panel, the main pole being positioned between the foot poles and the first tie down point.
 19. The tent of claim 1, further comprising a lower panel and a second line secured to both the upper panel and to the lower panel, the second line extending continuously from the upper panel to a tie down point and to the lower panel.
 20. A method for pitching a tent, the method comprising: providing an upper panel having a perimeter; providing a pole having an upper end and a lower end; engaging the upper end with the upper panel spaced apart from the perimeter thereof resting the lower end on a support surface horizontally offset from the upper end; fixing a free end of a first line secured to the upper panel at a first tie down point, the lower end of the pole being positioned between the first tie down point and the upper end of the pole; fixing a free end of a second line secured to the upper panel at a second tie down point beyond the perimeter, having the upper and lower end of the pole being located between the first and second tide down points.
 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising: providing third and fourth lines secured to the upper panel; fixing a free end of the third line at a third tie down point horizontally and fixing a free end of the fourth line at a fourth tie down, the third and fourth tie down points located on opposite sides of a vertical plane passing through the first and second tie down points.
 22. The method of claim 20, further comprising, bending the pole.
 23. The method of claim 20, further comprising: providing a sleeve secured to the upper panel, the sleeve extending inwardly from the perimeter; inserting the pole within the sleeve.
 24. A tent comprising: an upper panel having a perimeter; a pole having an upper terminal end substantially adapted to engage the upper panel spaced inward from the perimeter and having a lower end substantially horizontally offset from the upper end and from the upper panel, the lower end being substantially horizontally fixed, the pole being resiliently bent; a first line secured to at least one of the upper panel and the pole upper end, the first line adapted to extend to a first tie down point beyond the perimeter, the lower end of the pole positioned between the first tie down point and the upper end of the pole; a second line secured to the upper panel and extending to a second tie down point beyond the perimeter, the lower end of the pole being located between the first and second tie down points; third and fourth lines secured to the upper panel and extending to third and fourth tie down points, respectively, located on opposite sides of a vertical plane passing through the first and second tie down points.
 25. A tent comprising: an upper panel; a lower panel attached to the upper panel; and a line secured to both the upper panel and to the lower panel, the line extending continuously from the upper panel to a tie down point beyond the lower panel, and to the lower panel.
 26. The tent of claim 25, further comprising a stake disposed at the tie down point, a mid-portion of the line being held by the stake to support the bottom of the lower panel and the upper panel. 